The 3rd International Chess Pong Tournament 2026 takes place on Sunday, December 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM, in Trieste, Italy. This unusual sporting competition brings together blitz chess and table tennis, combining two individual disciplines into one international event. Players gather at the Palestra – Circolo US ACLI complex on Largo Giambattista Niccolini. The event continues the Chess Pong series developed in northeastern Italy and welcomes people interested in both competitive chess and the challenge of a mixed-sport tournament.

The chess competition features nine Swiss-system rounds played at three minutes plus a two-second increment per move. The Italian Chess Federation lists it as an official FIDE Blitz event, so its chess results contribute to blitz ratings under the applicable federation regulations. The organizer’s submission also announces a table-tennis competition and a single combined ranking across the two sports. The advertised prize fund is €1,200, approximately US$1,340 at the November 2026 exchange rate.

Organized through the SicuraMente-Young APS-ASD Chess Pong initiative and its sporting collaborators, the tournament follows previous international editions in Gorizia and Trieste. Its one-day format makes it possible for players in Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and other nearby countries to take part over a December weekend. Visitors can reach Trieste by train, regional and international buses, or through Trieste Airport, and several hotels stand near the city’s central railway station. The following guide covers the tournament structure, participation, venue, accommodation, and practical travel arrangements.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The chess section uses 3+2 blitz: each participant begins with three minutes for the game and receives a two-second increment after every move, starting from the opening move. The nine-round Swiss format gives players repeated games against different opponents during the day. Unlike a classical tournament, the chess component emphasizes quick calculation, efficient time management, and decision-making under pressure. The FSI registration identifies the event as an official FIDE Blitz competition.

Although chess and table tennis contribute to the combined Chess Pong concept, they remain different sporting activities with their own playing equipment and practical requirements. Competitors should follow the arbiter’s instructions for chess pairings and the relevant tournament officials’ directions for the table-tennis portion. The precise method for combining scores, any classification tie-breaks, and the order of the two disciplines are governed by the organizer’s event regulations. Players should check the current information provided through ChessPong.it before entering.

The tournament’s chess games are FIDE Blitz rated, not FIDE Rapid or Standard rated. The event is therefore distinct from a separate Chess Pong classical festival announced in Porcia for October 2026. The Trieste tournament takes place on December 20 and uses a substantially faster time control. The two competitions should not be confused when choosing a tournament or reviewing participation requirements.

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizer’s submitted event information states a total prize fund of €1,200, equivalent to approximately US$1,340 at a reference EUR/USD exchange rate of about 1.12 on November 1, 2026. The amount refers to the Chess Pong event as announced, rather than an independently confirmed chess-only prize pool. Prizes and the combined standing reflect the tournament’s two-sport concept, which distinguishes it from a conventional chess-only blitz event.

Chess Pong’s previous international tournaments used combined sporting awards and separate recognition for performances in individual disciplines. However, a previous edition’s prize amounts do not establish the allocation for December 2026. Players should use the current event announcements and the organizer’s contacts to review the applicable prize categories and conditions. Any payment or trophy arrangements follow the tournament regulations in effect for the 2026 event.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The Italian Chess Federation registers the December 20 chess competition as one nine-round FIDE Blitz tournament. The organizer’s event description identifies a further table-tennis tournament and a single combined Chess Pong ranking. This means participants should consider both parts of the sports program when deciding to take part. The event is not a nine-round classical chess festival with separate Open A and Open B rating bands.

Earlier Chess Pong tournaments have featured age classifications alongside open competition, but participation groups for the 2026 edition depend on the published event rules. Players who intend to enter only one discipline, or who need eligibility details for a particular age category, should contact the Chess Pong organizers before registration. Their official site and contact channels provide the appropriate point of reference for event-specific rules.

📅 Schedule

The 3rd International Chess Pong Tournament takes place on Sunday, December 20, 2026, with the event’s published starting time at 10:00 AM. The Italian Chess Federation confirms that the nine chess rounds are played on that date. The program also includes a table-tennis competition and a combined classification. All listed times use the local time in Trieste, which is Central European Time (CET) during December.

Participants should allow additional time before 10:00 AM for entering the sports complex, finding the competition rooms, and following any registration instructions. Because two sports share the day, it is sensible to keep the whole day available rather than planning an early departure. Check the organizer’s latest timetable for the precise sequence of chess and table-tennis games, as well as for the awards presentation. Weekend transport timetables may differ from weekday services.

📝 Registration

Players interested in the tournament can use ChessPong.it, the official Chess Pong website, and contact the organizing team at chesspong.fvg@gmail.com. The published telephone contact is +39 334 354 1219. When enquiring, specify the 3rd International Chess Pong Tournament in Trieste on December 20, 2026, rather than the earlier tournament in 2025 or the separate October 2026 festival.

Prospective participants should confirm whether their entry covers both chess and table tennis, as well as the current fee and player-registration procedure. The chess event is officially registered as FIDE Blitz, so players should have their federation and identification information available for entry. Foreign competitors and participants who are not affiliated with an Italian chess club can ask the organizers about the relevant rating and membership requirements. These details matter particularly for a two-discipline competition with combined results.

Visitors coming from outside the Trieste area should contact the tournament team before arranging nonrefundable travel. The organizer can explain the competition categories, the combined-ranking rules, and the current instructions for entry. The Italian Chess Federation tournament listing confirms the date, venue, time control, and number of chess rounds. For event contact information, consult the official Chess Pong website.

🏛️ Organizer

SicuraMente-Young APS-ASD is a nonprofit and amateur sports association based in Trieste that works on projects combining movement, cognitive activity, and community participation. The association is the principal organizer behind the Chess Pong international tournament series and has partnered with local and regional sports organizations to stage its competitions. Chess Pong brings two individual sports together while retaining recognizable chess and table-tennis tournament formats. The association’s cross-border work has helped attract players from several European countries.

Giovanni Marchesich is a prominent member of the Chess Pong organizing team and serves as vice president of SicuraMente-Young. The association’s earlier competitions were organized with the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional committee of the Italian Table Tennis Federation and collaborators including A.S.D. Scacchistica Pordenonese, the chess club in Piran, and local table-tennis clubs. These are sporting partners rather than separate names for the nonprofit itself. Learn more about the association through its dedicated MyChess.Events organizer profile.

📍 Venue

The playing venue is the Palestra – Circolo US ACLI sports complex at Largo Giambattista Niccolini 6 and 3/A, Trieste, Italy. The Italian Chess Federation names the gym and the US ACLI club premises in its event listing. The setting accommodates the tournament’s unusual combination of chessboards and table-tennis tables, which require different playing arrangements. Both spaces form part of the local sports facilities used for earlier editions of the tournament.

For navigation, use Largo Niccolini 6, Trieste, then follow the event’s signs and instructions for the correct entrance or playing room. The organizers have previously used the gymnasium and adjacent club rooms for the two sporting components. The venue is within the urban area of Trieste rather than in a hotel or an out-of-town convention center. Players bringing chess equipment or table-tennis equipment should contact the organizers if they need specific arrival or storage instructions.

🏨 Accommodation

Trieste provides a choice of city hotels for travelers attending the December 20 event. The central railway-station area is convenient for visitors arriving by train or via the Trieste Airport rail connection. Three established properties in that district are B&B HOTEL Trieste, Hotel Roma, and Hotel Milano. These are independent accommodation choices, not announced official Chess Pong partner hotels, and their rates depend on the selected dates and availability.

B&B HOTEL Trieste

B&B HOTEL Trieste is located at Via Sant’Anastasio 1, directly near Trieste Centrale railway station. The property lists Wi-Fi, a breakfast buffet, and rooms with private bathrooms on its official website. Its station-area position helps travelers who want to arrive on Saturday evening or Sunday morning without immediately arranging a car. Getting to the Chess Pong venue still requires a separate urban journey, which participants should plan around the 10:00 AM start. Review the official hotel website for room availability and booking terms.

Hotel Roma

Hotel Roma is at Via Carlo Ghega 7, a short distance from the main railway station and central Trieste’s bus services. Its central position is practical for an overnight tournament visit, with restaurants, shops, and city transport nearby. The hotel provides guidance on arriving by car, train, and air, along with information on parking arrangements. Players choosing this location can use city transport or a taxi for the final trip to Largo Niccolini. See the Hotel Roma official site.

Hotel Milano

Hotel Milano occupies Via Carlo Ghega 17, within the same central station district. The family-run property has operated in Trieste for generations and provides an alternative for guests who prefer a smaller city hotel. Its proximity to central services can make an early event-day departure easier, although travel to the competition venue should still be checked in advance. Reserve directly through the official Hotel Milano website and confirm the available room category and cancellation conditions.

Participants can compare these hotels with other accommodation in the city center or nearer the Largo Niccolini district. For an event starting at 10:00 AM on Sunday, an arrival on Saturday, December 19, may be convenient for people traveling from other parts of Italy or from abroad. Check the local transit schedule and the venue’s entrance before leaving the hotel. None of these options requires booking through the chess organizer.

🚆 How to Get There

The competition venue is at Largo Giambattista Niccolini 6 and 3/A, Trieste, Italy. Trieste lies on Italy’s northeastern Adriatic coast, near the Slovenian border, and offers transport connections by train, plane, bus, and road. The Largo Niccolini venue is separate from the city’s central railway station, so rail passengers should plan a local connection after arriving. For the final destination, use the sports complex rather than the Chess Pong administrative contact address.

🚉 By Train — Trieste Centrale

Trieste Centrale is the city’s principal railway station and a useful arrival point for travelers from Venice, Udine, and other cities served by Italian train routes. After arriving, continue toward Largo Niccolini 6 by local bus or taxi. The area’s road network allows a direct city journey, but the appropriate public-transport service will depend on the departure time and Sunday timetable. Check Trenitalia for rail services and Trieste Trasporti for city connections.

✈️ From Trieste Airport (TRS)

Trieste Airport (TRS), near Ronchi dei Legionari, connects to the regional railway network through the Trieste Airport rail stop. The airport’s intermodal center links the terminals with regional trains serving Trieste Centrale. After the rail journey, use local transport or a taxi to the sports venue. This route avoids needing a rental car for much of the journey. Travelers arriving late or carrying substantial sporting equipment can consider an airport taxi or a prearranged transfer.

🚌 Local Buses and City Transport

Trieste’s urban bus network connects central districts and neighborhoods around the city. Players can plan a connection from the railway station or their accommodation to the area around Largo Giambattista Niccolini. Because the event takes place on a Sunday, check current service frequency and transfer details before relying on a particular route. The Trieste Trasporti website provides the operator’s route and service information.

🚗 By Car

Visitors driving toward Trieste can use the regional highway network and follow city-road directions to Largo Niccolini 6. Allow time for urban traffic, parking, and walking to the correct entrance. Parking arrangements at the sports complex are not part of the published event submission, so drivers should review local street rules or ask the organizers about nearby options. Avoid assuming that the club or gym includes reserved event parking.

Allow extra time on Sunday morning, particularly if traveling from outside Trieste. The Chess Pong tournament brings together two different sporting activities, so competitors should plan ahead for any equipment, changing arrangements, and entry formalities. The event begins at 10:00 AM local time. The organizer’s website remains the point of contact for venue-specific directions and last-minute changes.

ℹ️ Other Information

Chess Pong is distinctive because it connects mental calculation at the chessboard with physical coordination and reactions at the table-tennis table. Earlier international editions drew competitors from several countries and were supported by chess and table-tennis associations in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. The tournament offers a different experience from a standard weekend blitz event without changing the chess component’s formal FIDE Blitz status. Its combined classification gives participants an incentive to consider their performance across both sports.

Players should follow the chess arbiters’ directions on electronic devices and rated-game requirements, as well as the table-tennis officials’ instructions for play and sporting equipment. The Italian Chess Federation confirms the chess date, format, time control, venue and nine rounds. For the specific entry conditions and combined-ranking regulations, contact chesspong.fvg@gmail.com or visit ChessPong.it. These sources help competitors prepare for the December 20 event in Trieste.